About the song
“Walkin’ After Midnight” is a song that transcends time, a haunting melody etched into the annals of country music history. Penned by Alan Block and Don Hecht, this timeless piece found its true voice through the soulful interpretation of Patsy Cline.
Originally intended for the pop singer Kay Starr, the song was rejected by her label, leaving it in obscurity until songwriter Don Hecht rediscovered it while working for Four Star Records. Interestingly, Cline herself was initially reluctant to record “Walkin’ After Midnight,” but a compromise with her label led to its eventual inclusion in her repertoire.
Fate intervened when Cline performed the song on the popular television show, Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts. The overwhelming audience response propelled the song to meteoric heights, becoming Cline’s first major hit and selling over a million copies. Its enduring popularity has earned it a coveted place on countless lists of the greatest country songs of all time, and in 2020, the song was honored with induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Beyond its commercial success, “Walkin’ After Midnight” is a testament to Cline’s vocal prowess and the song’s inherent emotional depth. Its blend of country, pop, and jazz influences creates a unique sonic tapestry that resonates with listeners across generations. The song’s lyrical portrayal of longing and heartbreak, coupled with Cline’s soulful delivery, has cemented its status as a timeless classic.
Video
Lyrics
I go out walkin’ after midnight
Out in the moonlight
Just like we used to do, I’m always walkin’
After midnight, searchin’ for you (wa-wa-walking, wa-wa-walking)
I walk for miles along the highway
Well, that’s just my way
Of sayin’ I love you, I’m always walkin’
After midnight, searchin’ for you (wa-wa-walking, wa-wa-walking)
I stop to see a weepin’ willow
Cryin’ on his pillow
Maybe he’s cryin’ for me
And as the skies turn gloomy
Night winds whisper to me
I’m lonesome as I can be
I go out walkin’ after midnight
Out in the moonlight
Just hopin’ you may be somewhere a-walkin’
After midnight, searchin’ for me (Wa-wa-walking, wa-wa-walking)
I stop to see a weepin’ willow
Cryin’ on his pillow
Maybe he’s cryin’ for me
And as the skies turn gloomy
Night winds whisper to me
I’m lonesome as I can be
I go out walkin’ after midnight
Out in the moonlight
Just hopin’ you may be somewhere a-walkin’
After midnight, searchin’ for me (wa-wa-walking, wa-ooh-ah)